Duane Major's push earlier this year to take Awaroa beach out of private hands and make it a national park quickly went viral, attracting 40,000 donations to raise a total of NZ$2.3 million (US$1.7 million).

Major, a pastor who describes himself as "an ordinary bloke", was present when the beach was officially incorporated into the Abel Tasman National Park at a Maori ceremony on Sunday.

"I must say, it might have been the wind, but I might have squeezed out a wee tear or two," Major told TV3 on Monday.

Awaroa inlet is an 800-metre (2,600-foot) stretch of golden sand at the top of South Island.